Method, Kit and Armature for Assembling a Plurality of Slabs into a Decorative Bin, Cachepot, or the Likes

ABSTRACT

A method, kit and armature for assembling a number of upright slabs into a decorative enclosure are described herein. The armature includes a same number of armature elements than of slabs. A respective armature element is positioned at each intersection of two adjacent slabs. Each armature element includes a stopper for contacting onto one side face of corresponding slabs and a cable-receiving member mounted to the stopper. The armature further includes a cable that is mounted into the cable-receiving member and that is then tensioned to add rigidity to the assembly. The kit includes the armature elements, the cable, elastic bands and attachments that cooperate with the elastic band for holding the slabs in the predetermined configuration prior and during assembly of the armature. A tensioning element can further be used to tension the cable.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to outdoor furniture andornaments. More specifically, the present disclosure is concerned with amethod, kit and armature for assembling a plurality of slabs into adecorative bin, cachepot, or the likes.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor decorative elements are usually made of one or a combination ofthe following materials: wood, concrete, metal or plastic. Among thesematerials, concrete presents the best durability/cost ratio.

The use of concrete in decorative bin, cachepot and the likes ispresently prohibitive considering the casting cost, transportation, etc.The use of other materials results in an outdoor decorative elementwhich is either less durable and/or less visually appealing.

SUMMARY

An object of illustrated embodiments is generally to provide a method,armature and kit for assembling slabs in a decorative bin, cachepot orthe likes.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, there is providedarmature for assembling a number of upright slabs into an enclosure;each of the slabs having two opposite faces; the armature comprising:

a same number of armature elements than of slabs, each adapted forpositioning at an intersection of two adjacent slabs from the number ofupright slabs; each of the armature elements including a stopper forabutting onto one of the opposite faces of one of the two adjacent slabsand a cable-receiving member mounted to the stopper for insertionbetween the two adjacent slabs; the cable-receiving member being adaptedfor receiving an attachment cable;

whereby, in operation, the upright slabs are positioned end-to-endaccording to a predetermined geometry defining the enclosure, thearmature elements are positioned at the intersection of correspondingtwo adjacent slabs; and the attachment cable is mounted to thecable-receiving members of the armature elements and then attached.

According to another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a kitfor assembling a number of upright slabs into an enclosure; each of theslabs having two opposite faces; the kit comprising:

an attachment cable;

a same number of armature elements than of slabs; each of the armatureelements being adapted for positioning at an intersection of twoadjacent slabs and including a stopper for contacting onto one of thetwo opposite faces of one of the two adjacent slabs and acable-receiving member mounted to the stopper for insertion between thetwo adjacent slabs; the cable-receiving member being adapted forreceiving a portion of the attachment cable;

whereby, in operation, the upright slabs are positioned end-to-endaccording to a predetermined geometry defining the enclosure, thearmature elements are positioned at the intersection of correspondingtwo adjacent slabs; and the attachment cable is mounted to thecable-receiving members of the armature elements and then attached.

According to a further illustrative embodiment, there is provided, anenclosure comprising:

a number of upright slabs positioned in a closed end-to-end arrangement;each of the slabs having opposite faces;

an attachment cable; and

the same number of armature elements than of slabs; each armatureelements being positioned at an intersection of two adjacent slabs; eachof the armature elements including i) a stopper that contacts onto oneof the opposite faces of one of the two adjacent slabs and ii) acable-receiving member mounted to the stopper for insertion between thetwo adjacent slabs for being tightly tied together by the attachmentcable.

According to still another illustrative embodiment, there is provided amethod of assembling upright slabs into an enclosure; each of the slabshaving opposite faces; the method comprising:

positioning the slabs upright in an end-to-end arrangement;

positioning an armature element at each intersection of two adjacentslabs; each armature element including i) a stopper for contacting ontoone of the opposite faces of a respective one of slabs and ii) ancable-receiving member mounted to the stopper for insertion between thetwo adjacent slabs; and

attaching together the armature elements by attaching thecable-receiving members using a cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slab assembly in the form of adecorative bin incorporating an armature for assembling upright slabsaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the slabs from FIG. 1, shown withan elastic band wrapped around;

FIG. 3 a perspective view illustrating the positioning of the slabsaccording to the predetermined geometrical arrangement using the elasticbands and attachments;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3, further showing thepositioning of the armature elements between the slabs;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, further showing themounting of a cable to the armature elements;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5, further showing thetensioning of the cable using a tensioning element;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the armature elements;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a decorative bin according to a secondillustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slab assembly in the form of acachepot according to a third illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one”, butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”,and “one or more than one”. Similarly, the word “another” may mean atleast a second or more.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (andany form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having”(and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and anyform of including, such as “include” and “includes”) or “containing”(and any form of containing, such as “contain” and “contains”), areinclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or process steps.

In the present specification in the appended claims, various terminologywhich is directional, geometrical and/or spatial in nature such as“longitudinal”, “horizontal”, “front”, rear”, “upwardly”, “downwardly”,etc. is used. It is to be understood that such terminology is used forease of description and in a relative sense only and is not to be takenin any way as a limitation upon the scope of the present disclosure.

In the present specification in the appended claims, the expression“cable” should be construed in a broad way so as to include wire rope,cord, strap, cable and the likes and should not be limited to anyparticular material.

A slab assembly in the form of a decorative bin 10 according to a firstillustrative embodiment is shown in FIG. 1.

The decorative bin 10 comprises a plurality of concrete slabs 12, forexample of the patio type, that are positioned upright, a same number ofarmature elements 14 than of slabs 12, a cable 16 and a tensioningelement 18.

The armature elements 14, together with the cable 16 and tensioningelement 18 will be referred to as the armature of the slab assembly 10.

Each of the components of the armature, along with a method ofassembling the concrete slabs in the decorative bin 10 or in any otherdecorative enclosure will now be described with more detail withreference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, an elastic band 20 is positioned around each slab 12adjacent an edge thereof. As will become more apparent upon reading thedescription of the assembly 10 below, the elastic band 20 can bepositioned at any place around the slab 12.

The band 20 can be made of any material. According to another embodiment(not shown), a cable is used instead of a band. According to stillanother embodiment, the band or cable is not elastic.

Each slab 12 is generally rectangular in shape and has two oppositefaces 22 and 24, wherein the faces to be positioned outside of theresulting enclosure will be referred herein as the outer or decorativeface 24. The outer face 24 includes decorative and/or informativegrooves, protrusions or a combination thereof. According to anotherembodiment, the inner face 22 also or alternatively includes suchdecorative and/or informative elements. According to still anotherembodiment, any one or both faces 22 and 24 are plain.

Also, the slabs 12 are not limited to the rectangular shape and can haveany other geometry and sizes.

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 3, the slabs 12 are positionedupright on a generally levelled surface so as to yield the desired angletherebetween. According to the first embodiment, such an angle is 108degrees between two adjacent slabs 12 so that the resulting slabassembly defines a pentagon.

A slab assembly including slabs having different height (not shown) canbe provided whenever the surface is unlevelled, or to yield variationsin height along the resulting top perimeter edge of the slab assembly10.

To contribute helping maintain the slabs 12 in place during theirpositioning in the predetermined configuration, attachment elements 26(only two shown) are mounted to two consecutive bands 20 for theirjoining.

The attachment elements 26 are in the form of rigid U-shaped clips. Morespecifically, the clip 26 includes two distanced legs 28 defining atapered opening 30 therebetween. According to a more specificembodiment, the clip 26 is made of a resilient material, such as apolymer or metal. The clip 26 is adapted to receive, at least partially,two adjacent bands 20.

According to other embodiment (not shown), the clips 26 are differentlyshaped than those illustrated. According to still another, theattachment elements are in the form of strings. The attachments can alsobe omitted.

The armature elements 14 are then positioned between two consecutiveslabs 12 (see FIG. 4).

Turning now briefly to FIG. 7, the armature element 14 will be describedin more detail.

The armature element 14 includes a generally flat L-shaped member 32,defined by an elongated plate having straight and bended portions 34 and36. The element 14 further includes a second plate 38 having an openingwhich defines a hook 40. The second plate is mounted to the straightportion 34 of the member 32 perpendicularly therefrom and is securedusing welding. According to another embodiment (not shown), the secondplate 38 is configured so as to be secured to the member 32 usingfasteners. According to still another embodiment, the second plate isintegral the elongated plate.

As will be described hereinbelow in more detail, the hook 40 is providedto attach the cable 16 to the armature element 14. As such, the opening40 in the second plate 38 can take any other form allowing receivingpart of the cable 16.

The member 32 is also not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Moregenerally, the armature element 14 includes a stopper portion forcontacting onto one or both of the two adjacent slabs 12 and acable-receiving member for receiving the cable 16. The stopper can haveany geometry allowing the armature element 14 to rest onto at least oneof the slabs 12 when traction is exerted onto the cable-receivingelement 38. The cable-receiving element is also so configured and somounted to the member 32 so that it is mountable in the interstice 42between two adjacent slabs 12 and so that it extends beyond the face 24of the slab 12 when the member 32 abuts at least one of the slabs 12 onthe other side thereof.

In some embodiments (not shown), depending for example on the geometryof the slabs 12 and/or of the hook, the hook is so mounted to thestopper so as to be hidden between the two adjacent slabs 12.

According to the first illustrated embodiment, the bended portion 36 ofthe member 32 acts as a cap that cover the interstice 42 so as tominimize the infiltration of rain, snow, dirt or of any object orsubstance in the interstice 42.

As shown in FIG. 5, once an armature element 14 is positioned at eachintersection between two adjacent slabs 12, the cable 16 is mounted ineach opening 40 in a sliding arrangement or fixedly.

With reference now to FIG. 6, the tensioning element 18 is then attachedto both free ends of the cable 16. For that purpose, the cable 16 isprovided with a preformed loop 44 at each end.

Using the tensioning element 18, the cable is taut so as to tight thecontact between the slabs 12 bringing rigidity to the assembly 10.

According to the first illustrated embodiment, the tensioning element 18is in the form of a well-known tension arm. Any other tensioning devicecan alternatively be provided between the two ends 44 of the cable 16.

According to another embodiment the tensioning element is in the form ofa tension bar (not shown). According to such an embodiment, a loop iscreated or a ring is provided in or on the cable 22 to receive thetension bar. Tension is then applied on the cable 16 by lowering thetension bar, which can then be held in place by a locking washer oranother similar means. Spacers can be added to provide more tension.

According to another embodiment (not shown), the tensioning element isomitted and both ends of the cable 16 are simply attached.

The attachments 26 and band 20 can then be removed, for example foraesthetic or safety reasons. According to a further embodiment, thislast step is omitted.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, which illustrates a decorative bin 44according to a second illustrative embodiment, the dimension an geometryof the armature elements 46 are adapted to the dimension and geometry ofthe slabs 48 used. Compared with the armature elements 12, the armatureelements 46 are longer. The decorative bin 44 encloses a trash bin 49.

Also, the present armature allows assembling any number of slabs into adecorative enclosure and is not limited to assemble slabs into apentagon configuration. FIG. 9 illustrates a cachepot 50 according to athird illustrative embodiment of a slab assembly. In FIG. 9, the slabs52 are assembled so as to yield a cachepot having a generallyrectangular shape. The cachepot further acts as an enclosure for astreet lamp 54. As a further difference with the assembly 10, the slabs52 show a different pattern on their decorative face.

The armature elements 14, the cable 16, tensioning element 18, bands 20and attachments 26 together define a kit for assembling slabs into adecorative enclosure.

The above-described method, armature and kit for assembling a pluralityof slabs can be used to create many complete or partial enclosures suchas flower containers, decorative bins, a base for a pole such as a lamppost, or more generally any landscaping furniture.

It is to be noted that many modifications could be made to the armaturesand slab assemblies described hereinabove and illustrated in theappended drawings. For example:

-   -   while the above embodiments referred to construction resulting        of the assembly of patio slabs, other generally flat building        elements can be used;    -   an armature according to an embodiment of the present invention        is not limited to the assembly of concrete building elements and        can be used to assemble building elements made of any materials,        such as, without limitations, a polymer, a ceramic, a metal, a        composite material, etc.;    -   the building slabs or elements used can be provided with any or        no pattern thereon;    -   the resulting slab assembly is not limited to having a regular        geometry formed of identical slabs 12. One can adapt the        armature element to accommodate slabs having other geometry;    -   the armature elements are not limited to a one-piece embodiment.        It can also result from the assembly of two or more pieces        assembled using fasteners, or any other mechanical cooperating        means or process. According to such an embodiment, the        cable-receiving member and stopper are two distinct pieces that        can be assembled prior or during mounting of the slab assembly;    -   the armature elements can be provided with decorative patterns        or imprints thereon (not shown).

While several embodiments have been described herein, it will beunderstood that further modifications are possible, and this applicationis intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of theinvention, following in general the principles of the invention andincluding such departures from the present disclosure as to come withinknowledge or customary practice in the art to which the inventionpertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbeforeset forth and falling within the scope of the invention.

1. An armature for assembling a number of upright slabs into anenclosure; each of the slabs having two opposite faces; the armaturecomprising: a same number of armature elements than of slabs, eachadapted for positioning at an intersection of two adjacent slabs fromthe number of upright slabs; each of the armature elements including astopper for abutting onto one of the opposite faces of one of the twoadjacent slabs and a cable-receiving member mounted to the stopper forinsertion between the two adjacent slabs; the cable-receiving memberbeing adapted for receiving an attachment cable; whereby, in operation,the upright slabs are positioned end-to-end according to a predeterminedgeometry defining the enclosure, the armature elements are positioned atthe intersection of corresponding two adjacent slabs; and the attachmentcable is mounted to the cable-receiving members of the armature elementsand then attached.
 2. An armature as recited in claim 1, wherein thecable-receiving member is mounted to the stopper so as to extend beyondthe other one of the two opposite faces when the stopper abuts the oneof the opposite faces of one of the two adjacent slabs.
 3. An armatureas recited in claim 1, further comprising a tensioning element fortensioning the attachment cable received in the cable-receiving member.4. An armature as recited in claim 1, wherein the stopper is in the formof a plate.
 5. An armature as recited in claim 4, wherein the plateincludes a bended portion that defines a cap for covering theintersection of the two adjacent slabs.
 6. An armature as recited inclaim 1, wherein each armature element further includes a plate mountedto the stopper for the insertion between the two adjacent slabs; theplate including a hole that defines the cable-receiving member.
 7. A kitfor assembling a number of upright slabs into an enclosure; each of theslabs having two opposite faces; the kit comprising: an attachmentcable; a same number of armature elements than of slabs; each of thearmature elements being adapted for positioning at an intersection oftwo adjacent slabs and including a stopper for contacting onto one ofthe two opposite faces of one of the two adjacent slabs and acable-receiving member mounted to the stopper for insertion between thetwo adjacent slabs; the cable-receiving member being adapted forreceiving a portion of the attachment cable; whereby, in operation, theupright slabs are positioned end-to-end according to a predeterminedgeometry defining the enclosure, the armature elements are positioned atthe intersection of corresponding two adjacent slabs; and the attachmentcable is mounted to the cable-receiving members of the armature elementsand then attached.
 8. A kit as recited in claim 7, further comprising atensioning element to be attached to the attachment cable at both endthereof for tensioning the cable.
 9. A kit as recited in claim 7,further comprising i) a same number of bands than of slabs, each forsurrounding a respective slab, and ii) attachments to tie the slabstogether via the bands in a closed end-to-end arrangement.
 10. A kit asrecited in claim 9, wherein at least one attachment is a clip or astring.
 11. An enclosure comprising: a number of upright slabspositioned in a closed end-to-end arrangement; each of the slabs havingopposite faces; an attachment cable; and the same number of armatureelements than of slabs; each armature elements being positioned at anintersection of two adjacent slabs; each of the armature elementsincluding i) a stopper that contacts onto one of the opposite faces ofone of the two adjacent slabs and ii) a cable-receiving member mountedto the stopper for insertion between the two adjacent slabs for beingtightly tied together by the attachment cable.
 12. An enclosure asrecited in claim 11, wherein the slabs are made of concrete.
 13. Anenclosure as recited in claim 11, wherein the closed end-to-endarrangement of the slabs defines a geometrical shape.
 14. An enclosureas recited in claim 11 defining one of a decorative bin, a cachepot, aflower container, a base for post, and an outdoor piece of furniture.15. A method of assembling upright slabs into an enclosure; each of theslabs having opposite faces; the method comprising: positioning theslabs upright in an end-to-end arrangement; positioning an armatureelement at each intersection of two adjacent slabs; each armatureelement including i) a stopper for contacting onto one of the oppositefaces of a respective one of slabs and ii) an cable-receiving membermounted to the stopper for insertion between the two adjacent slabs; andattaching together the armature elements by attaching thecable-receiving members using a cable.
 16. A method as recited in claim15, further comprising tensioning the cable attached to thecable-receiving members.